Iraqi premier orders offensives in retaliation for kidnapping

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered security operations in response to the recent kidnapping and execution of eight Iraqis by Islamic State militants.

Abadi’s office said the prime minister convened with Counter-Terrorism Service commanders to “carry out specific operations to chase terrorist cells and seek retribution against them”.

According to the statement , Abadi stressed that “Daesh (Islamic State) does not control any region (in Iraq) and its elements are hiding at mountains they had used in the past”, adding that “directives were made to track down those cells and achieve retribution against the murderers”.

Last Saturday, a video was posted purporting to show Islamic State militants threatening to execute six abductees if the Iraqi government does not release female detainees linked with the extremist group.

On Wednesday, the Iraqi Security Media Center, an arm of the Joint Operations Command, said the bodies were found on a Kirkuk-Diyala road.

Iraq declared the end of Islamic State influence on a its territories late last year, but since then, the group launched several attacks against security and civilians, especially in Kirkuk.